throbber
(12) United States Patent
`Joao
`
`USOO666.2194B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,662,194 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`PROVIDING RECRUITMENT
`INFORMATION
`
`(76)
`
`(*)
`
`Inventor: Raymond Anthony Joao, 122 Bellevue
`Pl, Yonkers, NY (US) 10703
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 387 days.
`
`Notice:
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/612,528
`Filed:
`Jul. 7, 2000
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/146,776, filed on Jul. 31,
`1999.
`Int. Cl................................................... G06F 7700
`U.S. Cl. .......................... 707/104.1; 707/3; 707/10;
`707/103 R; 705/1; 705/10; 705/11; 705/26
`Field of Search ................................. 705/1, 10, 11,
`705/26; 707/104.1, 10, 3, 103 R
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,164,897 A 11/1992 Clark et al. .................... 705/1
`5,416,694 A 5/1995 Parrish et al.
`5,696.702 A 12/1997 Skinner et al.
`5,758.324 A 5/1998 Hartman et al.
`5,794,207 A 8/1998 Walker et al.
`5,797,127 A
`8/1998 Walker et al.
`5,832,497 A * 11/1998 Taylor ........................ 707/104
`5,862.223 A 1/1999 Walker et al.
`5,884.270 A * 3/1999 Walker et al. ................. 705/1
`5,884.272 A * 3/1999 Walker et al. ....
`... 705/1
`5,978,768 A * 11/1999 McGovern et al. ............ 705/1
`6,324,538 B1 * 11/2001 Wesinger, Jr. et al. ........ 707/10
`6,332,125 B1 12/2001 Callen et al. .................. 705/4
`6,363,376 B1 * 3/2002 Wiens et al.................... 707/3
`6,370,510 B1 * 4/2002 McGovern et al.
`... 705/1
`6,381,592 B1 * 4/2002 Reuning ........................ 707/3
`6,385,620 B1
`5/2002 Kurzius et al. .......... 707/104.1
`
`:
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Garfinkel, et al., Web Security & Commerce, 1997, O'Reilly
`& Associates, U.S.A., pp. 471-483.
`Caglayan, et al., Agent Sourcebook a complete guide to
`desktop, internet, and intranet agents, 1997, John Wiley &
`Sons, Inc. U.S.A., pp. 341-349.
`Elmasri, et al., Fundamentals of database Systems, Second
`edition, 1994, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
`U.S.A., PP. 849-873.
`Berenson, et al., Basic BusineSS Statistics Concepts and
`Applications, Sixth Edition, 1996, Prentice Hall, Inc.,
`U.S.A., pp., Bridf contents, Detailed Contenta and Index.
`Hull Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives, Third Edition,
`1997, Prentice-Hall, Inc., U.S.A., pp. 555-572.
`Adam, et al., Electronic commerce Technical, Business, and
`Legal Issues, 1999 Prentice-Hall Ptr, U.S.A., pp. 191-195.
`Lesnick, et al., Creating Cool Intelligemt Agents for the Net,
`1997, IDG Books worldwide, Inc., U.S.A., pp. 281–289.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Frantz Coby
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Raymond A. Joao, Esq.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An apparatus and method for providing recruitment
`information, including a memory device for Storing infor
`mation regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an
`assignment, a contract, and a project, and information
`regarding a job Search request, a processing device for
`processing information regarding the job Search request
`upon a detection of an occurrence of a Searching event,
`wherein the processing device utilizes information regarding
`the at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment,
`a contract, and a project, Stored in the memory device, and
`further wherein the processing device generates a message
`containing information regarding at least one of a job
`opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project,
`wherein the message is responsive to the job Search request,
`and a transmitter for transmitting the message to a commu
`nication device associated with an individual in real-time.
`
`58 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`INDIVIDUAL
`COMPUTER
`
`30
`
`EMPLOYER
`COMPUTER
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 1 of 44
`
`INDIVIDUAL
`COMPUTER
`
`CNRA
`PROCESSING
`COMPUTER
`
`EMPLOYER
`COMPUTER
`
`INDIVIDUAL
`COMPUTER
`
`100
`
`EMPLOYER
`COMPUTER
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`09
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 2 of 44
`
`
`
`5) NISSE OORHc]
`
`
`
`TV/>| LNEHO
`
`?jELTld|NOO
`
`
`
`TV/TMC HAICINI
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`EOLAECI
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 3 of 44
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 4 of 44
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 4 of 44
`
`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 0f 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`200
`
`D
`
`DISPLAY20|20A20EOUTPUTCPU
`
`
`
` DEVICEDEVICEn203n20C
`
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`DATABASERECEIVERTRANSMITTER20F
`
`
`
`
`
`20H2OG
`
`20/
`
`I-
`
`DD
`
`. E D
`
`!
`I.IJ
`(D
`
`

`

`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 5 of 44
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 5 of 44
`
`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 0f 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`30D
`
`DISPLAY30|30A30EOUTPUTCPU
`
`
`
` DEVICEDEVICEn303n30C
`
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`DATABASERECEIVERTRANSMITTER30F
`
`
`
`
`
`30H3OG
`
`30/
`
`I—
`
`Dl E [
`
`Z
`LIJ
`(D
`
`:3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`START
`
`200
`
`ACCESS CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`201
`
`ENTER DATA AND/OR
`INFORMATION
`
`SELECT SPECIFIC
`OR GENERIC
`INFORMATION
`
`202
`
`203
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`204
`
`S
`SPECIFIC
`INFORMATION
`SELECTED?
`
`
`
`NO
`
`PROCEED WITH
`SPECIFIC INFORMATION
`
`PROCEED WITH
`GENERC INFORMATION
`
`206
`
`ENTER JOBSEARCH
`
`207
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 6 of 44
`
`PERFORM SEARCH/
`QUERYDATABASE
`
`208
`
`FIG. 5A
`
`Ga)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`PROVIDE SEARCH
`REPORT TO
`INDIVIDUAL
`
`209
`
`210
`
`RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL'S
`RESPONSE
`
`211
`
`
`
`NO
`
`IS
`NDIVIDUAL
`INTERESTED?
`
`212
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND/OR
`INFORMATION
`
`YES
`
`214
`
`213
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCEED WITH JOB
`SEARCH PROCESS
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 7 of 44
`
`FIG. 5B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`PROVIDE/TRANSMIT DATA
`AND/OR INFORMATION
`TO EMPLOYER
`
`215
`
`RECEIVE EMPLOYER'S
`RESPONSE
`
`216
`
`217
`
`
`
`NO
`
`IS
`EMPLOYER
`INTERESTED?
`
`218
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND/OR
`INFORMATION
`
`YES
`
`220
`
`219
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NOTIFYITRANSMIT
`MESSAGE TO INDIVIDUAL
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 8 of 44
`
`FIG. 5C
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 8 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`221
`
`RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL'S
`RESPONSE
`
`222
`
`223
`
`IS
`INDIVIDUAL
`INTERESTED?
`
`
`
`RECORD
`No DATAANDOR
`INFORMATION
`
`YES
`
`225
`
`224
`
`PROVIDEITRANSMIT
`INFORMATION TO
`EMPLOYER
`
`STOP
`
`226
`
`RECEIVE EMPLOYER'S
`RESPONSE
`
`228
`
`IS
`EMPLOYER
`NTERESTED?
`
`227
`
`
`
`NO
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND/OR
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 9 of 44
`
`YES
`
`229
`
`FIG. 5D GD)
`
`STOP
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`
`
`PUT PARTIES INTO
`CONTACT WITH EACH
`OTHER
`
`MONITOR RECRUITMENT
`PROCESS
`
`RECORD RESULTS, DATA
`AND/OR INFORMATION
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 10 of 44
`
`FIG. 5E
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`START -300
`
`ACCESS CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`301
`
`ENTER DATA
`AND/OR INFORMATION
`
`SELECT SPECIFIC
`OR GENERIC
`INFORMATION
`
`3O2
`
`303
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`304
`
`IS
`SPECIFIC
`INFORMATION
`SELECTED2
`
`
`
`NO
`
`PROCEED WITH
`SPECIFIC INFORMATION
`
`PROCEED WITH
`GENERIC INFORMATION
`
`306
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 11 of 44
`
`ENTER RECRUITMENT
`SEARCH
`
`PERFORM SEARCH/
`QUERYDATABASE
`
`307
`
`308
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`Ga)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`PROVIDE SEARCH
`REPORT TO
`EMPLOYER
`
`309
`
`310
`
`RECEIVE EMPLOYER'S
`RESPONSE
`
`311
`
`
`
`NO
`
`IS
`EMPLOYER
`INTERESTED?
`
`312
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND/OR
`INFORMATION
`
`YES
`
`314
`
`313
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCEED WITH
`RECRUITMENT SEARCH
`PROCESS
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 12 of 44
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`PROVIDEITRANSMIT DATA
`AND/OR INFORMATION TO
`INDIVIDUAL
`
`315
`
`RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL'S
`RESPONSE
`
`316
`
`317
`
`
`
`NO
`
`IS
`INDIVIDUAL
`INTERESTED?
`
`YES
`
`320
`
`318
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND/OR
`INFORMATION
`
`319
`
`
`
`
`
`NOTIFYITRANSMIT MESSAGE
`TO EMPLOYER
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 13 of 44
`
`FIG. 6C
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`321
`
`RECEIVE EMPLOYER'S
`RESPONSE
`
`322
`
`323
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IS
`EMPLOYER
`INTERESTED?
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`325
`
`PROVIDEITRANSMT
`INFORMATION TO
`NDIVIDUAL
`
`326
`
`RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL'S
`RESPONSE
`
`
`
`IS
`INDIVIDUAL
`INTERESTED?
`
`327
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND/OR
`INFORMATION
`
`324
`
`STOP
`
`328
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND/OR
`INFORMATION
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 14 of 44
`
`YES
`
`329
`
`FIG. 6D GD)
`
`stop
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`
`
`PUT PARTIES INTO
`CONTACT WITH EACH
`OTHER
`
`MONITOR RECRUITMENT
`PROCESS
`
`RECORD RESULTS, DATA
`AND/OR INFORMATION
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 15 of 44
`
`FIG. 6E
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`START
`
`400
`
`ACTIVATE CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`PERFORM SEARCH/
`OUERYDATABASE
`
`GENERATE SEARCH
`LIST/REPORT
`
`TRANSMIT LIST/REPORT
`TO INDIVIDUAL
`
`
`
`PROCEED WITH
`UOB SEARCH
`PROCESS
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 16 of 44
`
`FIG. 7
`
`stop 10
`
`401
`
`402
`
`403
`
`404
`
`405
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2003
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`START
`
`500
`
`ACTIVATE CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`PERFORM SEARCH/
`QUERYDATABASE
`
`GENERATE SEARCH
`LIST/REPORT
`
`TRANSMIT LIST/REPORT
`TO EMPLOYER
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 17 of 44
`
`
`
`PROCEED WITH
`RECRUITMENT SEARCH
`PROCESS
`
`FIG. 8
`
`stop
`
`10
`
`501
`
`502
`
`503
`
`504
`
`505
`
`

`

`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`1
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`PROVIDING RECRUITMENT
`INFORMATION
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
`Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/146,776, filed
`Jul. 31, 1999, and entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD
`FOR PROVIDING JOB SEARCHING SERVICES,
`RECRUITMENT SERVICES AND/OR RECRUITMENT
`RELATED SERVICES', the subject matter of which is
`hereby incorporated by reference herein.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a
`method for providing job Searching Services, recruitment
`Services and/or recruitment-related Services and, in
`particular, to an apparatus and a method for providing job
`Searching Services, recruitment Services and/or recruitment
`related Services as they may relate to individuals, indepen
`dent contractors, freelancers, employers and/or hiring
`entities, in a network environment.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Individuals, independent contractors, and/or freelancers,
`can expend great efforts and a great deal of time in job
`Searching efforts. Individuals, independent contractors, and/
`or freelancers, typically place a great deal of importance on
`their job Searching efforts, on efforts directed to Securing
`employment, both permanently and/or temporarily as a
`temporary employee and/or "contract’ employee, and/or on
`efforts directed to obtaining and/or Securing projects and/or
`assignments.
`Employers and/or hiring entities require that they have a
`Satisfactory workforce in order to meet the demands of
`doing business. In this regard, employers and/or hiring
`entities very often need to find and/or recruit new
`employees, replace former employees, find employees with
`new skills to meet their business needs, and/or obtain the
`Services of temporary workers, independent contractors,
`and/or freelancers.
`Growing businesses and markets have been created by the
`need for individuals, independent contractors, and/or
`freelancers to find and/or to Secure jobs, employment,
`projects and/or assignments, and by the need of employers
`and/or hiring entities to recruit and hire new employees,
`independent contractors, and/or freelancers. These busi
`nesses and markets include employment agencies,
`recruiters, So-called "headhunters', employment and/or
`career consultants, temporary employment agencies, per
`Sonal agents, personal managers, and/or other
`intermediaries, who or which, respectively, bring the respec
`tive parties together and/or assist them in obtaining
`introductions, establishing a dialog between parties, reach
`ing agreement on, and/or establishing an employment, an
`independent contractor, and/or a freelance relationship.
`Job Searching activities and recruitment activities typi
`cally require efforts in introducing parties to one another,
`pre-Screening the parties prior to, and/or Subsequent to, an
`introduction, acting as an information gathering entity for a
`party, exchanging information in order to determine if a
`relationship is appropriate and/or desirable, negotiating a
`deal, and/or consummating a deal between the respective
`parties. While individuals and/or employers and/or hiring
`entities can act on their own behalf during most of the
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 18 of 44
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`process, one of the parties may typically enlist the efforts of
`an employment agency or agencies, a recruiter(s), a
`So-called "headhunter(s)', an employment and/or career
`consultant(s), a temporary employment agency or agencies,
`a personal agent(s), a personal manager(s), and/or another
`intermediary or intermediaries, Sometimes at great expense.
`The enlistment of employment agencies, recruiters,
`So-called "headhunters', employment and/or career
`consultants, temporary employment agencies, personal
`agents, personal managers, and/or other intermediaries, can
`be costly and can lead to job Search efforts and/or recruit
`ment efforts which may be limited in breadth and/or scope
`by the personal and/or individual contacts, limitations and/or
`constraints associated with the employment agency,
`recruiter, So-called "headhunter', employment and/or career
`consultant, temporary employment agency, personal agent,
`personal manager, and/or other intermediary.
`In this regard, job Search efforts and/or recruitment efforts
`may be limited, thereby depriving an individual and/or an
`employer and/or hiring entity of being introduced to the best
`possible candidates. In Some instances, an employer and/or
`hiring entity may forgo access to certain candidates simply
`because they cannot and/or refuse to enlist the efforts of a
`recruiter and/or other intermediary.
`Job Searching efforts and recruitment efforts may be
`limited by and/or be constrained by limited personal
`contacts, geographical constraints, monetary constraints,
`and/or time constraints. Oftentimes, individuals, employers
`and/or hiring entities, do not have the resources to conduct
`their own respective job Searching efforts or recruitment
`efforts. The enlistment of employment agencies, recruiters,
`So-called "headhunters', employment and/or career
`consultants, temporary employment agencies, personal
`agents, personal managers, and/or other intermediaries, may
`not be Sufficient to overcome these limitations and/or
`constraints, particularly, if the respective employment
`agency or agencies, recruiter(s), So-called "headhunter(s)',
`employment and/or career consultant(s), temporary employ
`ment agency or agencies, personal agent(s), personal
`manager(s) and/or other intermediary or intermediaries, are
`working with Similar limitations and/or constraints.
`The job Search process and/or the recruitment process can
`typically be rendered more difficult in instances when addi
`tional information may be requested by one or by both of the
`parties concerning a counterpart. This typically results in
`time delayS and/or additional expense to the party having to
`comply with Such a request.
`Job Searching efforts and/or recruitment efforts may fur
`ther be rendered more difficult when the parties are not
`properly pre-Screened, thereby resulting in wasted time and
`effort, and/or when the parties are not properly informed as
`to the needs and/or demands of a counterpart. The needs
`and/or demands can include job description, job needs,
`project description, assignment description, Salary,
`compensation, and/or other related information. The failure
`to pre-Screen the parties and/or to conduct a dialog and/or
`initiate interviews and/or discussions when the parties may
`be So far apart regarding their respective needs, requests
`and/or expectations, for example, those involving job duties
`and/or Salary, can result in wasted time and effort.
`Confidentiality is typically another concern in job Search
`ing activities and/or in recruitment activities. Individuals,
`employees, and/or hiring entities may have an interest in,
`and/or a desire for, maintaining confidentiality during at
`least Some initial Stages of any job Search and/or recruitment
`effort. In Some instances, once an initial interest is
`
`

`

`3
`expressed, any confidentiality which may have existed may
`be lost for the remainder of the process. Sometimes, it may
`be desirable for an individual, an employer and/or hiring
`entity, to retain at least Some level of confidentiality and/or
`anonymity further into the job Search and/or recruitment
`process. In this manner, at least Some confidentiality and/or
`anonymity can be preserved, especially if a deal between the
`parties is not ultimately reached.
`Job Searching activities and/or recruitment activities may
`be far too widespread and may be far too important to be
`limited by the above-described limitations and/or con
`Straints. Individuals, employers and/or hiring entities would
`be better served by a system which overcomes the short
`comings of the prior art.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The apparatus and method of the present invention over
`comes the shortcomings of the prior art and provides an
`apparatus and a method for providing job Searching Services,
`recruitment Services and/or recruitment-related Services.
`The present invention utilizes the technologies and advances
`in information technology and in communication technol
`ogy in order to provide these Services in a network envi
`rOnment.
`The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a
`method for providing job Searching Services, recruitment
`Services and/or recruitment-related Services, for the respec
`tive individuals, employees, independent contractors,
`freelancers, employers and/or hiring entities, described
`herein in a network environment. The present invention also
`provides a centralized apparatus, which can also Serve as a
`clearinghouse, which provides job Searching Services,
`recruitment Services, and/or recruitment-related Services, as
`well as any of the Services and/or activities described herein.
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can
`can be utilized by individuals, independent contractors,
`freelancers, and/or other entities, desirous of Securing a job,
`a position, a project, an assignment, and/or an employment
`relationship, either permanent and/or temporary, with an
`employer and/or a hiring entity. The apparatus and method
`of the present invention can also be utilized by employers
`and/or by other hiring entities desirous of Securing the
`Services of an individual, an employee, an independent
`contractor, and/or freelancer, either permanently and/or tem
`porarily.
`The present invention can also be utilized by an employ
`ment agency, a recruiter, a So-called "headhunter', or other
`intermediary, in order to assist and/or to act on behalf of any
`of the individuals, employers and/or hiring entities described
`herein. The present invention can also be utilized in order to
`provide agency Services for any of the herein described
`parties, i.e., individual, employees, independent contractors,
`freelancers, employers, hiring entities, recruiters,
`headhunters, etc.
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can be
`utilized in a network environment in order to effectuate any
`of the Services described herein on, or over, any communi
`cation network.
`The apparatus can include a central processing computer
`or Server computer, at least one or more individual comput
`erS and at least one or more employer computers. Each of the
`herein-described computerS may communicate with any and
`all of the computers which are utilized in conjunction with
`the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention
`may be utilized in any communication network Such as the
`Internet, the World Wide Web, a telecommunications
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`US 6,662,194 B1
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`4
`network, and/or any other communication network
`described herein and/or otherwise.
`Each of the central processing computer(s), the individual
`computers, and/or the employer computers can include any
`and/or all components, peripherals, hardware, and/or
`Software, for facilitating the use thereof in a manner con
`Sistent with the present invention as described herein.
`The central processing computer may also include, and/or
`be linked to, a database(s) and/or other Storage and/or
`memory device(s) for storing any and/or all of the data
`and/or information described as being utilized, and/or which
`may be utilized, in conjunction with the present invention.
`The present invention provides job Search Services,
`recruitment Services, and/or recruitment-related Services,
`while preserving confidentiality among and/or between the
`parties and/or between the parties and third parties, and may
`further provide for varying layers of confidentiality for the
`parties involved. The present invention can also provide
`enhanced information Services for the parties utilizing Same,
`including but not limited to, links, hyperlinks, and/or other
`pointing and/or linking devices for linking a user to addi
`tional and/or Supplemental information concerning any of
`the individuals, employers, hiring entities, and/or other
`parties, involved in a dialog, negotiations and/or discus
`SOS.
`The data and/or information utilized in conjunction with
`the present invention can also be utilized by the various
`individuals, employers, hiring entities, contractors,
`applicants, recruiters, headhunters, third party
`intermediaries, and/or the operator and/or the administrator
`of the apparatus, and can be uploaded to, downloaded from,
`and/or be Stored and/or be resident on any of the central
`processing computer(s), the individual computer(s), and/or
`the employer computer(s).
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can be
`utilized to perform various job-searching Services, recruit
`ment Services and/or recruitment-related Services and/or
`functions. The present invention may be utilized by an
`individual, a prospective employee, an independent
`contractor, a freelancer, either permanent or temporary, to
`find or to locate a job, a position, a project and/or an
`assignment, for which they may wish to apply. The present
`invention can also be utilized by an employer and/or hiring
`entity to recruit and/or to Search for, an individual, a
`prospective employee, an independent contractor, and/or a
`freelancer, either permanent or temporary.
`The present invention can also be utilized by a recruiter,
`a headhunter, and/or a third party intermediary, in order to
`assist an individual, a prospective employee, an independent
`contractor, and/or a freelancer, in Searching for a job, a
`position, a project, and/or an assignment, and/or for assisting
`an employer and/or a hiring entity in Searching for, and/or
`for recruiting an individual, a prospective employee, an
`independent contractor, and/or a freelancer, in order to fill a
`hiring and/or other need.
`The present invention may also be utilized to notify an
`individual, a prospective employee, an independent
`contractor, and/or freelancer, of the existence and/or the
`availability of an opportunity for and/or related to a job, a
`position, a project and/or an assignment. The present inven
`tion may also be utilized to notify an employer and/or a
`hiring entity of the availability of an individual, a prospec
`tive employee, an independent contractor, and/or freelancer.
`Any and/or all of the communications between the parties
`may be effected via electronic message transmission, e-mail,
`electronic forms Submission, a telephone call, telephone
`
`

`

`S
`messaging, facsimile messaging, pager and/or beeper
`messaging, physical mailing, and/or via any other appropri
`ate method, means and/or mechanism.
`Employers and/or other hiring entities can post data
`and/or list information regarding jobs, employment
`positions, temporary positions, assignments, freelance
`assignments, contracting assignments and/or jobs, as well as
`any other assignments, projects and/or efforts which require
`and/or which may require the Services of an individual, an
`employee, an independent contractor, a freelancer, a tempo
`rary employee, etc., with the present invention.
`Similarly, individuals, job applicants, prospective
`employees, independent contractors, temporary workers,
`and/or freelancers, etc., can also post and/or list data and/or
`information regarding themselves with the present inven
`tion.
`The present invention can be utilized in order to allow
`employers and/or hiring entities to bid for individuals,
`employees, independent contractors, and/or freelancers. The
`present can also be utilized in order to allow individuals
`and/or their agents and/or managers to auction and/or offer
`their Services to employers and/or to hiring entities.
`The present invention can be utilized for managing work
`Schedules, and/or for maintaining information regarding
`work Schedules for an individual or entity, including, but not
`limited to any job applicant, temporary worker, independent
`contractor, and/or freelancer. An employer and/or hiring
`entity can obtain information regarding the work, temporary
`assignment, and/or project or assignment, Schedules for any
`individual or entity utilizing the present invention. An
`employer and/or hiring entity may hire and/or reserve the
`time of and/or the services of, the individual and/or entity
`via the present invention.
`The present invention can also provide an individual
`and/or an employer and/or hiring entity with data and/or
`information regarding the latest developments and/or cur
`rent developments in the employment and/or recruiting
`fields, including, but not limited to, growth areas, demand
`information for certain jobs and/or professions, Salary
`Surveys, etc. In this manner, the present invention can
`provide information for allowing an individual, an employer
`and/or hiring entity to determine the State of the job market
`and/or to utilize this information in any appropriate manner
`So as to minimize the time, effort and/or expense of job
`Searching efforts and/or recruitment efforts.
`The present invention can also provide notification to any
`of the individuals, employers and/or hiring entities, when
`and/or if information is being and/or has been requested
`about he, she or it. The present invention can also provide
`the identity of the party requesting the information to the
`respective individual, employer and/or hiring entity.
`The present invention can also provide for the blockage of
`any access, authorized and/or unauthorized, to any of the
`data and/or information utilized in conjunction with the
`present invention and/or concerning any individual, entity,
`employer, and/or hiring entity, utilizing the present inven
`tion. The present invention can also provide any data and/or
`information Specifically, generically, generally, Such as for a
`group, and/or Statistically and/or in any other manner.
`The present invention can also be utilized So as to prevent
`certain individuals and/or entities, employers and/or hiring
`entities, from accessing the data and/or information about
`any other individual, entity, employer, and/or hiring entity.
`The operation of the present invention may be triggered
`by any type of pre-Specified event and/or occurrence which
`may include a new individual listing, a new employer and/or
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`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-2 Filed 07/17/20 Page 20 of 44
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`US 6,662,194 B1
`
`6
`hiring entity listing, a departure of an individual from an
`employer, the completion of a job, project and/or
`assignment, changes in an economic factor(s), changes in a
`market factor(s), an increase in an unemployment rate, the
`unemployment of an individual, a detected need for jobs
`having a certain skill(s), and/or any other event, situation,
`and/or any other occurrence which may be deemed to have
`Some relationship and/or effect related to job Searching
`efforts and/or recruitment efforts.
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can
`also be utilized for performing and/or for facilitating the
`provision of recruitment Services for Schools, colleges,
`universities, and/or any organizations of any kind.
`The apparatus of the present invention can also be pro
`grammed in order to be Self-activating and/or activated
`automatically.
`The apparatus of the present invention can also be pro
`grammed in order to generate and/or transmit any of the
`e-mails, electronic message transmissions, electronic noti
`fication transmissions, and/or any of the communications,
`described herein between any of the parties utilizing the
`present invention.
`The present invention can be utilized in conjunction with
`intelligent agents, Software agents and/or mobile agents, in
`order to provide for these respective agents to act for, or on
`behalf of, a respective party.
`The present invention can also be utilized in order to
`generate electronic catalogs and/or electronic coupons for
`advertising and/or for publicizing the availability of
`individuals, independent contractors, and/or freelancers, for
`work, and/or for advertising and/or publicizing jobs,
`employment positions, projects and/or assignments, which
`employers and/or hiring entities are seeking to fill.
`The present invention can also be utilized in order to
`monitor, record and/or keep track of, all offers and/or
`rejections involving any and all jobs, employment positions,
`projects and/or assignments, which occur in conjunction
`with and/or via use of the present invention. The information
`compiled can be provided to individuals, employers, and/or
`recruiters for use in any appropriate and/or Suitable manner.
`The present invention, can also Store individual and/or
`employer data and/or information with various and/or vary
`ing levels of Specificity and/or confidentiality.
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can be
`utilized as an electronic and/or network-based recruiting
`apparatus and/or clearinghouse. The present invention can
`be utilized in order to reduce recruiting costs and So-called
`headhunter fees to employers as well as job Search efforts
`and/or expenses to individuals. The present invention pro
`vides an apparatus and a method for eliminating intermedi
`aries and/or unnecessary efforts and/or expense involved in
`job Search and/or recruitment processes for any of the
`individuals, employers and/or hiring entities described
`herein.
`The present invention can also be utilized in conjunction
`with the bartering and/or trading of Services between parties,
`Such as individuals, employers, and/or hiring entities.
`The present invention also provides an apparatus and a
`method for providing enhanced confidentiality during the
`job-search, recruitment, and/or related interactions, negotia
`tions and/or other dealings between the parties involved in
`Same. The present invention can monitor and/or record any
`interaction between any of the parties which utilize the
`present invention.
`The present invention can also be utilized in conjunction
`with job Searches and/or recruiting efforts for any kind of
`
`

`

`7
`job, profession, employment position, project, and/or
`assignment, and/or for any permanent, temporary, indepen
`dent contractor, and/or freelance, job, employment position,
`project, and/or assignment.
`The present invention can utilize electronic commerce
`technologies and Security methods, techniques and technolo
`gies.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide an apparatus and a method for providing job

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